Fiber-Optic RF Distribution (FORD) & Digital Control Signals Network Across a PCB in GPS User Eqpt

High performance RF circuits found in highly robust GPS user equipment are especially sensitive to inter-board electromagnetic interference, which results in spurious signals and poor circuit–to-circuit isolation. NuWaves’ innovative solutions will be applied to designing and developing state-of-the–art miniature Fiber Optic RF Distribution (FORD) transmit and receive modules. NuWaves will investigate the use of fiber optics as a means for distributing Radio Frequency (RF) and high-speed digital control signals across a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The use of fiber optics will be studied as a way of significantly reducing inter-board Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). During the phase I effort, NuWaves will perform cost/benefit trade-off study of fiber optic technologies taking into account size, weight, power, and cost factors. Detailed circuit modeling, simulation, hardware prototyping, and performance characterization will be accomplished to validate the FORD concepts.